System and method for controlling manufacturing of an item

ABSTRACT

A system and method for controlling manufacturing of one or more items may include providing a first 3D design representation, the first 3D design representation usable by a manufacturing device for manufacturing the item; encrypting the first 3D design representation to produce an encrypted 3D design representation; associating a set of tokens with the encrypted 3D design representation and providing the encrypted 3D design representation. A method or system may include obtaining a token and including the token in a request to manufacture the item; using the token to determine whether or not to provide a decryption key; and, if determining to provide the decryption key, using the decryption key to produce a second 3D design representation, the second 3D design representation usable by a manufacturing device for manufacturing the item.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation application of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 14/201,959 filed Mar. 10, 2014, entitled, “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MANUFACTURING OF AN ITEM”, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field production of items. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to production of itemsaccording to a design representation.

BACKGROUND

Manufacturing items using a digital representation of the items is knownin the art. For example, three dimensional (3D) printers and ComputerNumerical Control (CNC) machines manufacture items based on a digitalrepresentation of the items, e.g., provided as a file.

In particular, 3D printing is a fast growing field which has caused themanufacturing of items to become significantly more distributed. Whenmanufacturing is centralized, e.g., done in a factory, controllingquantities and other aspects, e.g., where, how, and how many items areproduced, may be relatively easy.

However, in today's distributed environment and with 3D printersbecoming available, every owner of a 3D printer or other manufacturingmachines can manufacture items on the premises or even at home.

Known systems and methods do not enable the growing number of designersto sell or provide their designs to the growing number of clients ormanufacturing entities.

SUMMARY

A system and method for controlling manufacturing of one or more itemsmay include providing, for example, by a designer computer, a first 3Ddesign representation, the first 3D design representation usable by amanufacturing device for manufacturing the one or more products oritems; encrypting the first 3D design representation to produce anencrypted 3D design representation; associating a set of tokens with theencrypted 3D design representation and providing the encrypted 3D designrepresentation either to a manufacturing device or to a manufacturercomputer. A method may include obtaining a token and including the tokenin a request to manufacture the items; using the token to determinewhether or not to provide a decryption key; and, if determining toprovide the decryption key, providing the decryption key and using thedecryption key to produce a second 3D design representation, the second3D design representation usable by a manufacturing device formanufacturing the items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanied drawings. Embodiments of the invention areillustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicatecorresponding, analogous or similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of a method according to some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram of a method according to some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of a method according to some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of a method according to some embodimentsof the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a high level block diagram of an exemplary computing deviceaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn accuratelyor to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may beexaggerated relative to other elements for clarity, or several physicalcomponents may be included in one functional block or element. Further,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information non-transitory processor-readablestorage medium that may store instructions, which when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “aplurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two ormore components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like.Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,the term “set” when used herein may include one or more items.

Embodiments of the invention enable a designer to offer a design forsale and control the number of items that will be made based on thedesign. Embodiments of the invention enable a designer to controlaspects such as which material will be used in producing an item basedon their design, what type of system may be used etc. Embodiments of theinvention enable a designer to control modifications that can be made toa design prior to using it for manufacturing an item.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 that shows an exemplary system 100 accordingto embodiments of the invention. As shown, system 100 may include, or beconnected to, a designer computer 110, a server computer 120, amanufacturer computer 130 and a manufacturing system 140. Designercomputer 110, a server computer 120 and a manufacturer computer 130 maycommunicate over network 150. Network 150 may be any suitable network,e.g., the internet.

Designer computer 110 may be a home, personal or portable computer (PC)or it may be a computer in an organization. For example, designercomputer 110 may include any components included in computing device 700as described herein with reference to FIG. 7, e.g., a controller and amemory. Designer computer 110 may be used by a designer in order toproduce or develop a representation of a design. For example, a user mayuse designer computer 110 to generate design representation 115. Adesign representation may be a digital representation of a product oritem, usable for manufacturing the item. For example, using formatsknown in the art, a design representation may be a computer file thatincludes information usable by a 3D printer in order to make or producean item.

For example, design representation 115 may be a file generated accordingto the STereoLithography (STL) format known in the art (also known asStandard Tessellation Language). Although STL is mainly referred toherein, other formats may be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Generally, a design representation may be generatedaccording to any device independent format and may be further processedby a specific device in order to generate a specific format usable bythe specific manufacturing or printing device. For example, a 3D printermay process an STL file to produce a gcode (also known as Gcode orG-Code) representation or file and use the gcode representation in orderto manufacture or print an item. It will be understood that embodimentsof the invention enable using any device independent format in order togenerate a design representation (e.g., design representation 115).

Designer unit 111 may be any suitable unit that carries out methods oroperations further described herein. For example, designer computer 110may be, or may include, a controller similar to controller 705 and amemory similar to memory 720 that stores executable code similar toexecutable code 725 and designer unit 111 may be the controller, memoryand code. In other embodiments, designer unit 111 may be, or mayinclude, hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. Forexample, designer unit 111 may be a card or chip installed in designercomputer 110. As shown, designer unit 111 may communicate with serverunit 121 and with manufacturer unit 131 over network 150.

Server computer 120 may be any suitable server or computing device. Forexample, server computer 120 may include any components included incomputing device 700, e.g., a controller and a memory. Server computer120 may provide services as further described herein. As shown, servercomputer 120 may include a server unit 121. Server unit 121 may be anysuitable unit that carries out methods or operations further describedherein. For example, server unit 121 may be, or may include, acontroller similar to controller 705 and a memory similar to memory 720that stores executable code similar to executable code 725 and serverunit 121 may be the combination of the controller, memory and code. Inother embodiments, server unit 121 may be, or may include, hardware,software, firmware or any combination thereof. For example, server unit121 may be a card or chip installed in server computer 120. As shown,server unit 121 may communicate with designer unit 111 and withmanufacturer unit 131 over network 150.

As shown, server computer 120 may generate and store a production object125. Although only one production object 125 is shown it will beunderstood that any number of similar objects may be generated, stored,sent and received by server computer 120, manufacturer computer 130,manufacturing system 140 and/or designer computer 110. Production object125 may include a design representation (e.g., one similar to designrepresentation 115). Production object 125 may include an encryptedversion of a design representation, for example, design representation115 may be encrypted by server unit 121 to produce an encrypted designrepresentation and the encrypted design representation may be includedin production object 125. For example, production object 125 may be afile that includes an encrypted design representation. Production object125 may include metadata related to a design representation. Forexample, a production object (e.g., any one of production objects 125,135 and 145 described herein) may include tokens, decryption keys,requested modifications and/or permitted modifications as furtherdescribed herein. For example, requested modifications and/or permittedmodifications may include parameters related to a scale, color, textureor other common computer-aided design (CAD) model attributes as known inthe art.

As described herein, a production object or messages related tomanufacturing an item may include metadata. For example, capabilities orlimitations related to a manufacturing device or limitations dictated byan owner or operator of a manufacturing device may be included in aproduction object or in messages related to manufacturing an item asdescribed herein. For example, an owner or operator of a manufacturingdevice may indicate a desired or maximal size of the object to be made,a time constraint and the like.

Manufacturer computer 130 may be any suitable server or computingdevice. For example, manufacturing computer 130 may include anycomponents included in computing device 700, e.g., a controller and amemory. As shown, manufacturer computer 130 may be operatively connectedto manufacturing system 140. For example, manufacturer computer 130 maybe directly connected to manufacturing system 140 using a universalserial bus (USB) wire or using wireless network or technology, e.g.,WiFi as known in the art. As shown, manufacturing system 140 may beconnected to network 150 and communicate with manufacturer computer 130,server computer 120 and/or designer computer 110 over network 150.Accordingly, it will be understood that manufacturing unit 141 maycommunicate with any other component of system 100 either viamanufacturer unit 131 or directly through network 150.

As shown, manufacturer computer 130 may store a production object 135.For example, in response to a request to manufacture an item sent bymanufacturer computer 130, server computer 120 may provide manufacturercomputer 130 with production object 135 that may include a designrepresentation usable by manufacturing system 140 in order tomanufacture the item. Production object 135 (and production object 145described herein) may include a decryption key for decrypting anencrypted design, tokens usable for determining the number of items thatcan be produced and various attributes of the produced items, e.g.,color, material and/or modifications that can be applied to an originaldesign.

As shown, manufacturing computer 130 may include a manufacturer unit131. Manufacturer computer 130 may be any suitable unit that carries outmethods or operations further described herein. For example,manufacturer computer 130 may be, or may include, a controller similarto controller 705 and a memory similar to memory 720 that storesexecutable code similar to executable code 725 and manufacturer unit 131may be the combination of the controller, memory and code. In otherembodiments, manufacturer unit 131 may be, or may include, hardware,software, firmware or any combination thereof. For example, manufacturerunit 131 may be a card or chip installed in manufacturer computer 130.As shown, manufacturer computer 130 may communicate with server unit 121and with designer unit 111 over network 150.

Manufacturing system or device 140 may be any suitable system or deviceusable for manufacturing, printing, producing or making items or objectsbased on a digital design representation, e.g., based on designrepresentation 115. Although printing or making items using a 3D printeris mainly referred to herein it will be understood that embodiments ofthe invention may be applicable to manufacturing, printing, producing ormaking items using any suitable device or system. Accordingly, the terms“manufacturing an item”, “printing an item”, “producing an item” and“making an item” may be used herein interchangeably. For example,manufacturing system 140 may be a home 3D printer used by a privateindividual, it may be a CNC machine operated by an organization or aproduction plant or any other computer-aided manufacturing system. Itwill be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited by thetype of manufacturing system 140. As shown, manufacturing system 140 mayreceive and store a production object 145 that may include any data asdescribed with reference to production object 135 as well as additionaldata or parameters. It will be noted that production object 125 may be,or may include elements or data different from production object 135and/or production object 145. For example, production object 125 mayinclude an encrypted version of design representation 115 and tokens,production object 135 may include an encrypted version of designrepresentation 115 and a decryption key and production object 145 mayinclude a decrypted version of design representation 115, e.g., theoriginal design representation 115 as generated by a user on designercomputer 110. In other scenarios, production object 145 may include adecrypted modified version of design representation 115, e.g., theresult of applying modifications to the original design representation115.

System 100 may enable controlling manufacturing of an item using webservices. Reference is made to FIG. 2 that shows an exemplary systemaccording to embodiments of the invention. As shown, designer computingdevices 210 and 3D manufacturing units (e.g printers 215) may interactwith web services 230 over network 150. For example, designer devices210 may be a plurality of designer computers 110 and printers 215 may bea plurality of manufacturing systems 140. Web services 230 may beprovided by one or more server computers 120. For example, server unit121 may include an encryption/decryption engine or unit 231, a keygeneration engine or unit 232 and a token generation engine or unit 233.As referred to herein (and as known in the art), an encryption key maybe used for both encrypting and decrypting information, the terms“encryption key” and “decryption key” may be used hereininterchangeably. Server computer 120 may include a database 234 or otherstorage system and server unit 121 may store in database 234 anyinformation, e.g., tokens, decryption keys, tables used for tokenmanagement, production objects etc. As further described herein, usingweb service 230, a designer may sell, distribute or provide designs heor she produces and clients, customers or users may use web services 230in order to purchase and/or obtain the designs and manufacture or makeitems according to the designs, e.g., using 3D printers 215.

Alternatively or additionally, a 3^(rd) party may use web service 230 tosell, distribute or provide designs, e.g., on behalf of a designer.Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may support a sale processwhile the actual sale may be done using any additional system or method,e.g., a system external to system 100.

Although web services are mainly referred to herein, otherconfigurations are enabled by embodiments of the invention. For example,the engines and database shown included in web services 230 may beincluded in a server in an organization or even in a user or homecomputer. For example, a local server in an organization or designercomputer 110 may carry out any operations described herein withreference to web services 230 and/or server 120.

Although messages exchanged over a network are mainly referred toherein, where applicable, other means for transferring data betweencomponents of system 100 may be used. For example, files containingdigital design representations or any other data may be stored on aremovable device (e.g. a USB device) and the removable device may beused in order to transfer data between components of a system. Forexample, a manufacturing device may be a simple 3D printer that is notconnected to a network and a digital design representation (e.g., in afile) may be provided to the 3D printer using a USB stick or SecureDigital (SD) memory card or chip.

As referred to herein, a digital design representation (or design forshort) may be or may include a set of instructions, values andparameters usable (e.g., by a 3D printer) for the construction,production or making of an object or a system. For example, design 115may be generated by a designer using CAD software as known in the art.As described, a digital design representation may be generated accordingto any suitable format, e.g., a device independent format. As described,a manufacturing device may be adapted to transform or convert a digitaldesign representation from one format or another. For example,manufacturing unit 141 and/or manufacturer unit 131 may transform ageneric digital design representation included in an STL to a devicespecific digital design representation, e.g., generate a digital designrepresentation using gcode, as is known in the art.

Although STL is mainly referred to herein, it will be understood thatembodiments of the invention are not limited by the format according towhich a digital representation of a design is generated, encrypted orcommunicated. For example, a digital representation of a design (thatmay be included in an STL file) may be based on American Standard Codefor Information Interchange (ASCII), binary representations or both.Other 3D file formats may be used, e.g., OBJ and/or 3DM as known in theart. Files or containers other than an STL may be used. It will beunderstood for the sake of clarity and simplicity, STL is mainlyreferred to herein and that any format and encryption scheme may be usedto generate and/or encrypt a design according to embodiments of theinvention and any container or file that includes a design may be used.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a flowchart diagram of amethod according to some embodiments of the present invention. Typicallybut not necessarily, the method or flow shown in FIG. 3 and describedherein involves a designer or user as shown by block 301 and amanagement system or web service as shown by block 302. Generally, theterm web service as referred to herein relates to a computer softwarefunction or service provided over a network, e.g., at a network addressover the internet.

For example, in some embodiments, a management system as shown by block302 is server unit 121, the designer as shown by block 301 is a user ofuser computer 110 and the user as shown by block 302 is a user ofmanufacturing computer 130.

Generally, a user as shown by block 301 may be any one of a designer, anoperator of a marketplace, a buyer who pays for using a design and/or anowner of a manufacturing device. Of course, a designer may also be anowner of a manufacturing device. For example, a designer who usesdesigner computer 110 may also own and/or use manufacturing system 140.Similarly, a buyer may own or use manufacturing system 140. For example,in one scenario, designer unit 111 may generate and send messages asshown by blocks 310 and 330 and receive a message as shown by block 320,a computer operated by a provider of a marketplace may send and receivemessages as shown by blocks 340 and 345 and 355 and a buyer may receivean LSTL file generated as shown by block 360. It will be understood thatthe roles assumed by entities such as a designer, a buyer and amarketplace are exemplary ones and other entities or roles may becontemplated without departing from the scope of the invention.

As shown by block 310, a flow may include user registration. Forexample, a designer that wishes to sell his designs over the internetmay register or create an account in server 120, e.g., using webservices 230 that may be provided by server 120. As shown by block 315,a database may be updated such the designer is recognized by a system insubsequent operations and events. For example, database 234 may beupdated to include any information related to the designer as describedherein, e.g., a unique designer identification (ID). As shown by block320, an accept or acknowledge message may be sent back to the designerconfirming the registration. For example, server unit 121 may informdesigner unit 111 that a registration was successful and providedesigner unit 111 with a designer ID. Designer unit 111 may include thedesigner ID in subsequent communications with any unit in system 100.Accordingly, a designer ID may be available to any unit in system 100.

As shown by block 325, a designer may generate a design of an object.For example, a designer may design a cup, a hat or any other objectusing a CAD application. The design (or digital representation of thedesign) may be generated, e.g., by the CAD application, according to anyformat, for example, the STL format may be used. AS shown by block 330,the design may be uploaded. For example, designer unit 111 may uploaddesign 115 to server computer 120.

As shown by block 335, the uploaded design may be processed, metadata orother data may be generated and a production object may be generated.For example and as shown, a unique design identification (ID) may begenerated for the design. A unique design ID may unambiguously identify,or point to, one and only one specific design. A unique design ID mayidentify, or reference one or more parts of a design. For example, adesign ID may identify or reference a number of parts related to a multipart object where each part of the multi part object may be manufacturedseparately. For example, a design may include a cup and saucer that maybe manufactured separately and a unique design ID may reference both thecup and saucer.

As shown, an encryption key may be generated. For example, a uniqueencryption key may be generated for each design. As shown, theencryption key may be used to encrypt the uploaded design to produce anencrypted digital representation of the design (referred to herein as“encrypted design”). Any system or method may be used to encrypt orotherwise encode an original (e.g., uploaded) digital representation ofa design such that the encryption key is required in order to produce orreproduce the original digital representation of the design from anencrypted digital representation of the design. For example, anencryption key may be a randomly generated number with 256, 512, 1024 ormore bits. Any algorithm, system or method may be used to generate anencryption key and/or generate an encrypted design as described herein.For example, known in the art methods such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman(RSA), Data Encryption Standard (DES) or Advanced Encryption Standard(AES) may be used.

As shown by block 335, a production object may be generated. Forexample, a production object may be, or may include, a limited editionobject (LEO) file. A LEO file may include the design ID and theencrypted design. As further shown, a database may be updated, e.g., theencrypted design, encryption key, design ID and designer ID may bestored. Tables or lists may be updated in a database such that using adesign ID, or designer ID any relevant data (e.g., the encrypted ororiginal designs) may be found. Accordingly, it will be understood thatany relevant information may be readily available to any component ofsystem 100. For example, provided with a designer ID, any unit in system100 may readily find all designs produced by the designer, a design IDmay be used in order to obtain the digital representation of the designand so on.

In an embodiment, a server may store metadata related to a design butthe actual digital design representation may not be stored on theserver. For example, server unit 121 may store in database anyinformation related to a design, e.g., design ID, designer restrictionsor other metadata related to a design as described herein and mayfurther store a reference or pointer to the actual digital designrepresentation. For example, an internet protocol (IP) address of acomputer that stores the actual digital design representation may bestored such that server unit 121 may enable obtaining the actual digitaldesign representation. For example, the digital design representation(e.g., as generated by a designer and/or in encrypted format) may bestored on designer computer 110 and provided to buyers or to a marketplace from designer computer 110.

As shown by block 340, a production object, for example, a LEO file asshown, may be provided. Server unit 121 may provide a LEO file to anyunit in system 100. For example, manufacturer unit 131 may receive a LEOfile from server unit 120 and use the LEO file in order to manufacturean item or object based on the design in the LEO file. Since the designincluded in the LEO file is encrypted, a further operation or step maybe required in order to use the LEO file.

A LEO file may be used, e.g., in a web site, in order to sell designs.For example, a LEO file may include an image of an object or item, e.g.,provided by a designer. An internet site (web site) may receive fromserver computer 120 a plurality of LEO files, extract images of designsfrom the LEO files and present images. Design IDs may be extracted fromthe LEO files and may be shown for each design image. The design IDs maybe accessible to, or obtained by, users who visit the web site.

A system and method according to embodiments of the invention combinethe use of encryption keys and tokens in order to control and/or managemanufacturing of an item. As shown by block 345, a method or flow mayinclude a request for a token. A request for a token may include adesign ID. For example, designer unit 111 (or a computer supporting amarketplace) may extract a design ID from production objects 125 andinclude it in a request for a token sent to server unit 121.

As shown by block 350, a method or flow may include determining whetheror not to provide a token. For example, a designer may instruct a website to only enable 10 items to be manufactured based on a specificdesign. A web site may limit the number of items made by setting athreshold for providing tokens (e.g., 10 in the above example). Forexample, upon receiving a request for a token as shown by block 345,server unit 121 may use the included design ID to examine a table indatabase 234 and determine whether or not to provide a token. If it isdetermined to provide a token then a token may be provided as shown byblock 355. A message that includes a token as shown by block 355 mayinclude a token or other metadata. If it is determined not to provide atoken then various actions may be performed. For example, server unit121 may alert a management unit that requests for unavailable items werereceived; a message may be presented or sent to a client or customer whowas denied a token, etc.

The number of tokens provided as shown by block 355 may vary. Forexample, a request for tokens as shown by block 345 may be for seven(“7”) tokens, but a threshold of five (“5”) tokens may be set for therelevant design ID. In such case, sever unit 121 may only return five(“5”) tokens. As further described herein, a unit may send a request tobe informed how many tokens are available for an indicated design (e.g.,indicated using the design's ID) and a server may respond to the requestby providing the number of available tokens.

As shown by block 350, a database may be updated. For example, if it isindicated in the database that a limited number of tokens are to beprovided to enable production or sell of a design then the number may bedecreased by the number of tokens provided as shown by block 355. Itwill be understood that any number of tokens may be requested as shownby block 345 and any number of tokens may be provided as shown by block355. Any calculation or algorithm may be used in determining whether ornot to provide tokens as shown by block 350.

For example, server unit 121 may determine whether or not to providetokens based on restrictions or criteria dictated or provided by adesigner. For example, a designer may indicate a total or maximumallowed number of copies or objects that may be made based on a designand server unit 121 may only provide tokens if the number of copiesalready made based on the design is below the indicated number. Anyother rules, restrictions, limitations or criteria may be used indetermining whether or not to provide a token. For example, a rule orrestriction may limit the number of objects that may be manufactured bya single user or buyer, or a threshold may limit the number of objectsproduced in a specific geographical area or country and so on.

As shown by block 360, an encrypted design (e.g., extracted from the LEOfile provided as shown in block 340) and one or more tokens (e.g.,received as shown by block 355) may be included in a production objectalso referred to herein as a LEO STL, or LSTL. The LSTL file may be soldor provided and used, e.g., as further described herein.

As described, an LSTL file may be stored on a server, e.g., in database234 on server 120. In other embodiments, a server may store metadatarelated to a design and an LSTL file containing an encrypted digitalrepresentation of the design may be stored elsewhere, e.g., on acomputer owned or operated by a designer, e.g., on designer computer110.

Reference is made to FIG. 4, a flowchart diagram of a method accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. Typically but notnecessarily, the method or flow shown in FIG. 4 and described hereininvolves a printer as shown by block 401 that may be manufacturingsystem 140 including manufacturing unit 141. A printer as shown by block401 may be a system that includes both manufacturing computer 130 andmanufacturing system 140. The method or flow shown in FIG. 4 anddescribed herein may involve a management system as shown by block 402that may be server unit 121.

As shown by block 410, the flow may include a registration of a printer.For example, manufacturing unit 141 sends a request to server unit 121.A request to register may include any data information or metadata. Forexample, in a request to register as shown by block 410, manufacturingunit 141 may include or indicate any attributes, description orproperties of manufacturing system 140. For example, metadata providedby manufacturing unit 141 may include a model number or commercial name,a type etc. Metadata provided by manufacturing unit 141 may include alist of the materials that manufacturing unit 141 can use to manufactureitems (e.g., plastic and copper), colors manufacturing unit 141 can use,etc. Other information in metadata provided by a manufacturing systemmay include restrictions or limitations, e.g., a minimal/maximal size ofitems that can be manufactured, a time period during which themanufacturing system can manufacture items etc.

Either in a message sent as shown by block 410 or in a separate message(not shown), characteristics or attributes of a manufacturing device maybe provided. For example, capabilities or limitations of manufacturingsystem 140, e.g., supported scaling factors or object sizes, supportedcolors, or other common computer-aided design (CAD) model attributes asknown in the art may be provided to server unit 121 during aregistration process.

User restrictions or limitations may be included in a deviceregistration message or process. For example, even though amanufacturing device is capable of manufacturing objects in blue, greenand red, an owner of the manufacturing device may want the manufacturingdevice to only manufacture green objects. In such case, userrestrictions or limitations (e.g., included in a message sent as shownby block 410) may indicate that only green objects can be manufacturedby the relevant device. As further described herein, controlling themanufacturing of an item may include determining whether or not toprovide a token or decryption key based on user restrictions orconstraints, characteristics or attributes of a manufacturing device andcharacteristics or limitations provided by a designer. For example,manufacturing of an item may be enabled if user and manufacturing devicerestrictions or constraints do not conflict with limitations orconstraints indicated by a designer of the item.

As shown by block 415, the flow may include generating a device ID. Forexample, a unique ID may be generated as known in the art such a givendevice ID is associated with a single manufacturing device. A databasemay be updated. For example, server unit 121 may store the generateddevice ID and any relevant metadata, e.g., metadata received frommanufacturing unit 141 as shown by block 410. Accordingly, using aunique device ID associated with a manufacturing device, attributes orany other metadata related to the manufacturing device may be obtained.For example, server unit 121 may store metadata of a device in database234 and the information may then be extracted from database 234.

As shown by block 420, the flow may include providing a device ID. Forexample, server unit 121 sends a device ID to manufacturing unit 141 orto manufacturer unit 131.

As shown by block 425, the flow may include obtaining a productionobject. For example, the LSTL file produced as shown by block 360 inFIG. 3 may be provided by server unit 121 to manufacturing unit 141 orto manufacturer unit 131.

As shown by block 430, the flow may include requesting to manufacture anitem. For example, a request sent as shown by block 430 may be a requestto print in the case where manufacturing system 140 is a 3D printer. Asshown, a request to manufacture or make an item may include one or moretokens and a device ID. A request to manufacture, make or print mayinclude any metadata. For example, requested modifications to anoriginal design of an item may be included in a request to manufacturean item. For example, provided with an LSTL file, manufacturing unit 141may extract one or more tokens from the LSTL file and include the tokensand its device ID (e.g., provided as shown by block 420) in a request tomanufacture or print an item based on a design in the LSTL file.

As shown by block 435, the flow may include validating the device ID,validating received tokens and/or updating a database. For example,server unit 121 may receive a device ID, tokens and metadata frommanufacturing unit 141 and may determine whether or not to provide adecryption key based on the received device ID, received tokens andreceived metadata. For example, as described herein, the number of itemsmanufactured based on a design may be controlled based on tokensprovided and a threshold. Accordingly, a decryption key may only beprovided if the number of items already made does not exceed athreshold. A decryption key may only be provided if the tokens receivedare validated. For example, server unit 121 may record in database 234the tokens provided for a specific design and, when tokens are receivedwith a request to manufacture an item as shown by block 430, server unitmay validate the received tokens were indeed provided for the requesteditem design.

A system and/or method according to embodiments of the invention mayenable manufacturing of an item based on a token as described herein.Although enabling a user or device to manufacture an item by providing adecryption key is mainly discussed herein, other methods may be used bysystems according to embodiments of the invention. For example,encrypting a design as shown by block 335 may include any transformationor processing of a design to produce a processed object and theprocessed object may be provided as shown by block 340. In order toenable manufacturing of an item, an executable code (e.g., anapplication) may be provided. For example, an application configured toproduce an original design from a processed object may be provided,e.g., instead of providing a decryption key as shown by block 440.Accordingly, to enable manufacturing an item, a system or methodaccording to embodiments of the invention may not necessarily use adecryption key. For example, instead of providing a decryption key, anapplication that produces a design representation usable by amanufacturing device for manufacturing the item from a processed objectmay be provided, e.g., by server unit 121.

In other embodiments, enabling to manufacture an item may includesending a message, e.g., a message that includes permission tomanufacture or print. For example, production object 145 provided tomanufacturing system 140 may include a design representation usable bymanufacturing system 140 for manufacturing an item and manufacturingunit 141 may only cause manufacturing system 140 to manufacture the itemif permission is received from server unit 121 or from manufacturer unit131. For example, rather than enabling to manufacture an item byproviding a decryption key as shown by block 440, a flow may includeenabling to manufacture an item by sending a message informing a printeror manufacturing device that manufacturing an item is permitted.

Server unit 121 may examine attributes of the requesting (or target)manufacturing device and determine whether or not to provide adecryption key based on attributes, properties or other parametersrelated to the manufacturing device. For example, server unit 121 mayexamine properties, capabilities or attributes of a target manufacturingdevice (e.g., received as shown by block 410 and recorded or stored indatabase 234) and may determine, based on properties or attributes ofthe manufacturing device whether or not to provide a decryption key.

For example, a designer may specify a set of printer types or modelsthat may print his or her design. Accordingly, if manufacturing system140 is not a printer that is included in a set of printers defined bythe designer, server unit may determine to prevent manufacturing system140 from printing an item (e.g., by determining not to provide adecryption key).

If it is determined to provide a decryption key, the decryption key maybe provided as shown by block 440. A message that includes a decryption(or encryption) key as shown by block 440 may include a design ID orother metadata. If it is determined not to provide a decryption (orencryption) key then various actions may be performed. For example,server unit 121 may alert a management unit that requests to print weredenied or refused, a message may be presented or sent to a client orcustomer who was denied a decryption (or encryption) key etc.

As shown by block 445, the flow may include using a decryption key todecrypt a file. For example, using a decryption key provided as shown byblock 440, manufacturing unit 141 may decrypt an encrypted design in anLSTL file to produce an original or decrypted design and print ormanufacture an item using the original or decrypted design. In anembodiment, an encrypted design may be decrypted and a representation ofthe design that is different from the original representation may beproduced. For example, manufacturing unit 141 may decrypt an encryptedLSTL file or object and generate a gcode or other representation of thedesign. Accordingly, a first 3D design representation may be encryptedto produce an encrypted 3D design representation, e.g., by server unit121 and the encrypted 3D design may be decrypted to produce a second 3Ddesign representation that is different from the first 3D designrepresentation.

As shown by block 450, the flow may include reporting to a managementsystem upon completion of manufacturing an item. For example,manufacturing unit 141 may send a message to server unit 121 informingthat a print was successfully completed or informing failure to print anitem.

As shown by block 455, the flow may include updating a database. Forexample, server unit 121 may update any data or fields in database 234,e.g., decrease the number of tokens for a design, perform and recordbilling operations etc.

As described herein, in some embodiments, designs may be saved on aserver (or in the cloud as referred to in the art). For example, designrepresentations may be saved on server computer 120 that may be a webserver. In other embodiments, other means or locations for saving orstoring designs may be used. For example, server unit 121 may beincluded in designer computer 110 such that designer computer 110 mayperform any operations described herein with reference or respect toserver computer 120 and thus, systems and methods described herein maynot necessarily include a web server or cloud storage. For example,including server unit 121, production object 125 may be generated andprovided by, designer computer 110.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, a flowchart diagram of a method accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. As shown by block 510, themethod or flow may include encrypting a 3D design representation usableby a manufacturing device for manufacturing an item to produce anencrypted 3D design representation.

For example, the flow may include providing (e.g., by a designer asdescribed herein) a first 3D design representation, the first 3D designrepresentation usable by a manufacturing device for manufacturing theitem. As described, server unit 121 may receive the first 3D designrepresentation and encrypt it to produce an encrypted 3D designrepresentation.

As shown by block 515, the method or flow may include associating a setof tokens with the encrypted 3D design representation and providing theencrypted 3D design representation and at least one of the tokens. Forexample, server unit 121 may generate tokens as shown by block 350 inFIG. 3 and associate the tokens with a design provided by a designer.

As shown by block 520, the method or flow may include including a tokenin a request to manufacture the item. Server unit 121 may provide thetokens, e.g., in response to a request for tokens as shown by blocks 345and 355 in FIG. 3. Accordingly, a method may include obtaining a token(e.g., by a client from server unit 121) and including the token in arequest to manufacture the item (e.g., a request as shown by block 430in FIG. 4).

As shown by block 525, the method or flow may include using the token todetermine whether or not to provide a decryption key. As describedherein, if determining to provide the decryption key, the flow mayinclude using the provided decryption key to decrypt the encrypteddesign to produce a second 3D design representation, the second 3Ddesign representation usable by a manufacturing device for manufacturingthe item. It will be noted that a first representation of a design maybe used to produce an encrypted design and decrypting the encrypteddesign may produce a second, different from the first, decryptedrepresentation of the design.

Various deviations or additions to the flow shown in FIG. 5 may becontemplated. For example, manufacturing unit 141 may use a decryptionkey and an encrypted design to produce a representation of the designthat is usable by manufacturing system 140 (e.g., a representation in aspecific machine code) where the representation of the design producedby manufacturing unit 141 is different from the representation of thedesign as provided by a designer who created the design. The flow mayfurther include manufacturing the item, by a manufacturing system, basedon a decrypted design representation.

As described, a set of tokens and an encrypted design representation maybe provided in a container file. For example, a container file may be anLSTL or other production object as described herein. Obtaining a token(e.g., by a manufacturing unit) may include extracting the token fromthe container file. For example, tokens may be extracted from LSTL filesby manufacturer unit 131 or by manufacturing unit 141.

Obtaining a token may include requesting a token. For example, as shownby block 345, a token may be obtained by requesting a token. Tokens maybe generated in advance, e.g., when encrypting a design as shown byblock 335 or they may be generated in real-time, e.g., upon receiving arequest for a token. For example, token generation engine 233 maygenerate tokens in real-time, upon receiving a request for tokens. Forexample, server unit 121 may cause token generation engine 233 togenerate a specified number of tokens for a specific design.

The flow may include receiving a request that includes a token and/or adesign ID, using the token and/or a design ID to determine a number ofitems that may be manufactured based on the design and providing thenumber of items that may be manufactured. For example, a user may wishto manufacture three (“3”) items based on a design. Prior to requestingto manufacture three (“3”) items, a user may wish to know how many items(e.g., duplicates) may be produced. The user may (e.g., usingmanufacturer unit 131) send a request to server unit 121 and server unit121 may respond with the number of items that may be made.

For example, based on tokens already served, based on instructionsreceived from the designer or based on any other considerations (e.g.,as described herein) server unit 121 may determine that only two (“2”)items may be made by the requesting entity. Accordingly, in the aboveexample, server unit 121 may inform, in a response that two (“2”) itemsmay be made. The user can then use the number indicated by server unit121 in a subsequent request to print.

A request may include the number of items to be manufactured and aresponse may include permission to manufacture as requested orpermission to manufacture an indicated number of items. For example,based on user input or otherwise, manufacturer unit 131 or manufacturingunit 141 may determine that five items are to be made based on a design.Manufacturer unit 131 or by manufacturing unit 141 may obtain a token asdescribed and send a message to server unit 121 the message includingthe token, a design ID and a request to manufacture five items. Serverunit 121 may use the token in order to determine a number of items thatmay be manufactured and may respond with a permission to manufacture asrequested or the response may indicate a different, e.g., smaller numberof items that may be made.

For example, as described, by tracking tokens provided and used, serverunit 121 may record, track or monitor the number of items alreadymanufactured based on a design and may limit or control the number ofadditional items that will be made.

As described, a flow may include associating a design identification ora design ID with a 3D design representation, e.g., as shown in block 335in FIG. 3. The flow may further include providing the design ID, e.g.,in a LEO file as shown by block 340. A flow may include including thedesign identification in a request for one or more tokens, e.g., asshown by block 345, generating a set of tokens in response to therequest (e.g., as shown by block 350). A flow may include including aset of tokens and an encrypted file in a container file, e.g., as shownby block 360.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, a flowchart diagram of a method accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. As shown by block 610, themethod or flow may include recording a set of characteristics of amanufacturing device. For example, a set of characteristics of amanufacturing device may be provided by manufacturer unit 131 or bymanufacturing unit 141 that may include the set of characteristics in arequest to register as shown by block 410. The set of characteristicsmay be recorded in database 234, e.g., as shown by block 415.

As shown by block 615, the method or flow may include associating a setof design characteristics with a 3D design. For example, a set of designcharacteristics, restrictions, allowed modifications or otherconstraints may be provided by a designer when providing the design,e.g., as shown by block 330. The set of design characteristics may bestored in association with the design or with a design ID. Accordingly,a system and method according to embodiments of the invention maycontrol manufacturing of an item based on a set of designcharacteristics. Generally, a designer may indicate attributes of itemsmade according to his or her design by providing a set of designcharacteristics. For example, a set of allowed or permitted colors, amaximal or minimal size or scale, a set of materials to use may all beindicated in a set of design characteristics. As described, a request tomanufacture an item according to a design may be processed according tocharacteristics associated with a design, e.g., characteristics providedby a designer. A request to manufacture an item according to a designmay be allowed or denied based on examining requested attributes ormodifications and restrictions or characteristics associated with thedesign. For example, if a designer indicates (e.g., when uploading adesign as shown by block 330 in FIG. 3) that an item according to hisdesign is to be manufactured in blue, a request to manufacture the itemin red (e.g., as shown by block 430 in FIG. 4) may be denied.

As shown by block 620, the method or flow may include associating a setof tokens with the 3D design. For example, tokens generated as shown byblock 350 may be associated with a design using the design ID providedas shown by block 345. For example, server unit 121 may store tokens indatabase 234 such that they are associated with a specific design ID,e.g., as known in the art.

As shown by block 625, the method or flow may include receiving arequest to manufacture the item, the request may include at least onerequested modification of the design. For example, prior to sending arequest to print as shown by block 430, a user may use any CAD or othersoftware tool to examine and modify the design. For example, the size,scale or material used may be changed by a user and the user may producea set of desired or requested modifications. The user may then includethe set of desired or requested modifications in a request to print,e.g., as shown by block 430.

As shown by block 630, the method or flow may include determiningwhether or not to enable manufacturing the item based on at least oneof: the characteristics of the manufacturing device, the designcharacteristics, and one or more tokens. Generally, enablingmanufacturing of the item may be or may include providing a decryptionkey that may be used to decrypt an encrypted design.

Determining whether or not to enable manufacturing the item based ontoken logic or considerations may be done as described herein.Determining whether or not to enable manufacturing the item based on thecharacteristics of the manufacturing device and the designcharacteristics may be done by relating or comparing the designcharacteristics to the characteristics of the manufacturing device. Forexample, if the design characteristics indicate that the item is to bemanufactured using plastic and the characteristics of the manufacturingdevice indicate that the device can only use silicon then server unit121 may determine not to enable manufacturing the item, e.g., in suchcase, server unit 121 may not return a decryption key as shown by block440 and may further generate an alert, email etc.

Various other flows or sub-flows may be realized according toembodiments of the invention. For example, a request to manufacture anitem including a set of requested modifications may be received asdescribed and the requested modifications may be analyzed e.g., withrespect to design characteristics or restrictions provided by a designeras described.

Even if not all requested modifications are permitted, a decryption keymay still be provided. For example, server unit 121 may receive arequest that includes three (“3”) requested modifications, determinethat only two of the requested modifications are permitted and return adecryption key and an indication of the two permitted modifications.

In another embodiment, server unit 121 may receive a request thatincludes a set of requested modifications, determine that only a sub-setof the set of requested modifications is permitted and return a responsethat lists or indicates the allowed or permitted sub-set ofmodifications. A user or unit may use the sub-set of allowed orpermitted modifications in a subsequent request to print, e.g., as shownby block 430.

As shown by block 635, the method or flow may include, if determining toenable manufacturing the item, then providing a decryption key. Forexample, if token considerations or logic as described herein permitsmanufacturing of an item as requested and the set of requestedmodifications is permitted or authorized, e.g., by the designer, thenserver unit 121 may provide a decryption key as shown by block 440.Accordingly, a system or method according to embodiments may associate aset of design characteristics with a 3D design representation; receive aset of printer characteristics related to a printing device; anddetermine whether or not to provide a decryption key based on relatingat least one of the set of design characteristics to at least oneprinter characteristic. A printing device may be any manufacturingdevice usable for manufacturing a 3D item or object based on a digitaldesign or representation of the item or object.

Reference is made to FIG. 7, showing high level block diagram of anexemplary computing device 700 according to embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown, computing device 700 may include a controller 705that may be, for example, a central processing unit processor (CPU), achip or any suitable computing or computational device, an operatingsystem 715, a memory 720, a storage 730, an input devices 735 and anoutput devices 740. A system for manufacturing an item according toembodiments of the invention may comprise more than one computingdevices 700.

Operating system 715 may be or may include any code segment designedand/or configured to perform tasks involving coordination, scheduling,arbitration, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation ofcomputing device 700, for example, scheduling execution of programs.Operating system 715 may be a commercial operating system. For example,in an embodiment, operating system 715 is the Windows operating systemprovided by Microsoft.

Memory 720 may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory(RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a SynchronousDRAM (SD-RAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, anon-transitory memory or other suitable memory units or storage units.In an embodiment, Memory 720 is a non-transitory processor-readablestorage medium that stores instructions and the instructions areexecuted by controller 705. In an embodiment, when the instructionsstored in one or more memories 720 are executed by one or morecontrollers 705 they cause the one or more controllers 705 to carry outmethods described herein. For example, server 120 may be a devicesimilar to computing device 700 and server unit 121 may be a controller,memory and executable code as shown in FIG. 7 and described herein.Designer computer 110 and manufacturer computer 130 may be similar to,or may include components of computing device 700. Accordingly, designerunit 111 and/or manufacturer unit 131 may be or may include acontroller, a memory and a set of instructions or executable code.Manufacturing system 140 may include any components included incomputing device 700. Accordingly, manufacturing unit 141 may be or mayinclude a controller, a memory and a set of instructions or executablecode.

Executable code 725 may be any executable code, e.g., an application, aprogram, a process, task or script. Executable code 725 may be executedby controller 705 possibly under control of operating system 715. Forexample, executable code 725 may be an application that performs methodsdescribed herein. For example, a plurality of executable code segmentssimilar to executable code 725, when executed by a plurality ofcontrollers similar to controller 705 may cause the controllers to carryout methods as shown by FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 and described herein.

Where applicable, executable code 725 may carry out operations describedherein in real-time. One or more computing devices 700 and executablecode 725 may be configured to update, process and/or act uponinformation at the same rate the information, or a relevant event, arereceived. For example, generating tokens as described herein may be donein real-time, e.g., immediately upon receiving a request as described.One or more controllers or processors 705 may be configured to carry outmethods as disclosed herein, for example by being connected to one ormore memories 720 storing executable code 725.

Storage 730 may be or may include, for example, a hard disk drive, aCD-Recordable (CD-R) drive, a universal serial bus (USB) device, an SDmemory card or other suitable removable and/or fixed storage unit. Forexample, database 234 may include a storage system such as storage 730.

Input devices 735 may be or may include a mouse, a keyboard, a touchscreen or pad or any suitable input device. Input devices 735 mayinclude a network interface card (NIC) that enables computing device tocommunicate over a network, e.g., over network 150. For example, a NICinstalled in computing device 700 may be used to send and receivemessages as described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Other inputdevices or components included in input devices 735 may be a touchscreen or pad or components that enable voice control and/or interactingwith computing device 700 using gestures, e.g., using a touch screen asknown in the art. It will be recognized that any suitable number ofinput devices may be operatively connected to computing device 700 asshown by block 735. Output devices 740 may include one or more displays,speakers and/or any other suitable output devices. Output devices 740may include a network interface card (NIC) that enables computing deviceto communicate over a network, e.g., over network 150. It will berecognized that any suitable number of output devices may be operativelyconnected to computing device 700 as shown by block 740. A unit ormodule as described herein may be or may include executable code 725 andcontroller 705. For example, methods described herein may be performedby computing device 700 and units adapted to control manufacturing of anitem as described herein may be a units that include executable code 725and controller 705.

Embodiments of the invention may include an article such as a computeror processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer or processornon-transitory storage medium, such as for example memory 720, a diskdrive, or a flash memory, encoding, including or storing instructions,e.g., computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by aprocessor or controller (e.g., controller 705), carry out methodsdisclosed herein. For example, storage medium such as memory 720,computer-executable instructions such as executable code 725 and acontroller such as controller 705.

A system according to embodiments of the invention may includecomponents such as, but not limited to, a plurality of centralprocessing units (CPU) or any other suitable multi-purpose or specificprocessors or controllers, a plurality of input units, a plurality ofoutput units, a plurality of memory units, and a plurality of storageunits. A system may additionally include other suitable hardwarecomponents and/or software components. In some embodiments, a system mayinclude or may be, for example, a personal computer, a desktop computeror a server computer.

Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein arenot constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some ofthe described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or beperformed at the same point in time. While certain features of theinvention have been illustrated and described herein, manymodifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the invention. Various embodimentshave been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course includefeatures from other embodiments presented, and embodiments notspecifically described may include various features described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling manufacturing of an item,the method comprising: providing a digital three-dimensional (3D) designrepresentation, the digital 3D design representation usable by amanufacturing device for manufacturing the item using materials, thedigital 3D design representation being a digital file correlating to theitem; encrypting the digital 3D design representation to produce anencrypted 3D design representation; associating a set of tokens with theencrypted 3D design representation and providing the encrypted 3D designrepresentation and at least one token from the set of tokens; including,by the manufacturing device, a token in a request to manufacture theitem and sending by the manufacturing device the request to manufacturethe item to a server; determining whether or not to enable manufacturingof the item using, by the server, the token, and one or more of:parameters related to the manufacturing device, and a set of requestedmodifications to the digital 3D design representation; indicating to theuser one or more of: which of the set of requested modifications to thedigital 3D design representation are permitted and which manufacturingdevice parameter modifications are permitted; if determining to enablemanufacturing of the item, providing a decryption key; and using thedecryption key to produce the digital 3D design representation usable bythe manufacturing device for manufacturing the item using materials. 2.The method of claim 1, comprising the server obtaining the set of tokensand wherein at least some of the set of tokens are generated inreal-time, upon receiving a request for a token.
 3. The method of claim1, comprising using the token to determine permitted modifications tothe design representation.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising:providing, in response to a request, the number of items allowed to bemanufactured.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a requestto manufacture items, the request including the token and an indicationof a number of items to be manufactured.
 6. The method of claim 1,comprising: associating a design identification with the digital 3Ddesign representation; including the design identification in a requestfor one or more tokens; generating a set of tokens in response to therequest; and including the set of tokens in a container file.
 7. Amethod of controlling manufacturing of an item using a server, themethod comprising: providing a digital three-dimensional (3D) designrepresentation, the digital 3D design representation usable by amanufacturing device for manufacturing the item using materials, thedigital 3D design representation being a digital file correlating to theitem; encrypting the digital 3D design representation to produce anencrypted 3D design representation which is not stored on the server;associating a set of tokens with the encrypted 3D design representationand providing the encrypted 3D design representation and at least onetoken from the set of tokens; including, by the manufacturing device, atoken in a request to manufacture the item and sending by themanufacturing device the request to manufacture the item to the server,the server separate from the location where the encrypted design isstored; determining whether or not to enable manufacturing of the itemusing, by the server, the token; if determining to enable manufacturingof the item, providing a decryption key; and using the decryption key toproduce the digital 3D design representation usable by the manufacturingdevice for manufacturing the item using materials.
 8. The method ofclaim 7 comprising storing at the server a pointer or reference tometadata related to the digital 3D design representation.
 9. The methodof claim 7 wherein the request includes a set of requestedmodifications, the method comprising: analyzing the set of requestedmodifications; and if determining at least one of the requestedmodifications is permitted, enabling manufacturing of the item.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, comprising the server obtaining the set of tokens andwherein at least some of the set of tokens are generated in real-time,upon receiving a request for a token.
 11. The method of claim 7,comprising using the token to determine permitted modifications to thedesign representation.
 12. The method of claim 7, comprising providing,in response to a request, the number of items allowed to bemanufactured.
 13. The method of claim 7, comprising receiving a requestto manufacture items, the request including the token and an indicationof a number of items to be manufactured.
 14. The method of claim 7,comprising: associating a design identification with the digital 3Ddesign representation; including the design identification in a requestfor one or more tokens; generating a set of tokens in response to therequest; and including the set of tokens in a container file.
 15. Amethod of controlling manufacturing of an item, the method comprising:providing a digital three-dimensional (3D) design representation, thedigital 3D design representation usable by a manufacturing device formanufacturing the item using materials, the digital 3D designrepresentation being a digital file correlating to the item, the itemincluding a multi-part object comprising multiple parts; encrypting thedigital 3D design representation to produce an encrypted 3D designrepresentation; associating a set of tokens with the encrypted 3D designrepresentation and providing the encrypted 3D design representation andat least one token from the set of tokens; including, by themanufacturing device, a token in a request to manufacture the item andsending by the manufacturing device the request to manufacture the itemto a server; determining whether or not to enable manufacturing of theitem using, by the server, the token; if determining to enablemanufacturing of the item, providing a decryption key; and using thedecryption key to produce the digital 3D design representation usable bythe manufacturing device for manufacturing the item using materials. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein the multiple parts are manufacturedseparately.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the request includes aset of requested modifications, the method comprising: analyzing the setof requested modifications; and if determining at least one of therequested modifications is permitted, enabling manufacturing of theitem.
 18. The method of claim 15, comprising using the token todetermine permitted modifications to the design representation.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, comprising receiving a request to manufacture items,the request including the token and an indication of a number of itemsto be manufactured.
 20. The method of claim 15, comprising: associatinga design identification with the digital 3D design representation;including the design identification in a request for one or more tokens;generating a set of tokens in response to the request; and including theset of tokens in a container file.